Fluid shaft coupling



June 13, 1950 w. T. STEPHENS FLUID SHAFT COUPLING 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 28, 1945 a h MW WILLIAM 7. STEPHENS w H m fifim jab 6/ 3 m w A w, 1% Z M i a 5 V m y ngwwfwww w ATTORNEYS June 13, 1950 w. T. STEPHENS 2,511,513

FLUID SHAFT COUPLING Filed Nov. 28, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 \limh 8 116 5 INVENTOR. WILL/AM TSTEPHENS ATTOR NEYS Patented June 13, 1950 ATENT o FIcE FLUID SHAFT COUPLING a a William T.Stephens, Painesville, Ohio Application November 28, 1945, Serial no. 631,293 7 My invention relates to fl'uid couplings and has for its principal objectthe provision of improved methods and apparatus for coupling rotating devices. I

It is an object of my invention to provide a coupling which is precise, uniform and reliable in operation and which may be manufactured easily transmitted may be limited to'a. predetermined value. or in which the engaging action may be delayed.

It is a further'object of my invention to provide overload release couplings and gradually engaging or delayed action couplings.

Other and iurther'objects, features and advantages of my invention will become apparent as the description proceeds.

In carrying out the invention in accordance with a' preferred form thereof for coupling two relatively rotatable members, the members are arranged one member within the other. Anoncircular or varying-radius track is provided in one member, and the other member is provided with radial cavities or bores containing plungers which ride on the track so as to move in and out radially. The cavities are filled with a fluid such as oil, for example, so that the plungers are forced in and out radially by relative. rotation of the members, and there is a tendency for the fluid to be pumped back and forth through a passageway provided therefor. Means are provided for closing the passageway to couple the members.

A better understanding of the invention will be afforded by the following detailed description considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawing in which Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a fluid coupling forming an embodiment of my invention having an axially movable check valve member. Fig. 2 is a view of a crosssection of the coupling of Fig. 1 represented as cut by a plane 2-2 indicated in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of a fluid coupling of the type illustrated in Fig. 1 having a cylindrical type of rolling member for riding in the track to increase the loading of which the coupling is capable. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of a coupling similar to that shown in Fig. 1 but provided with a plurality of axially spaced tracks instead of only one. Fig. 5 is a view of. a section of the coupling of Fig. 4 represented as cut 9, Claims. o1.,192-105) by a plane 55. Fig. 6 is afragmentary longitudinal sectional view 'corresponding'toi Fig. '4 representing aooupling in which means are provided for unloading the coupling when a predetermined torque is reached by providing overtorque slippage. A

r Fig. 7 is a longitudinal sectional viewof a fluid coupling of thetype illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5 in which rolling members in the form of spheres are employed bothto ride in the track and to serve as fluid pumping plungers. Fig. 8 is a view of a cross-section of the coupling of ,Fig. '7 represented as cut by a plane 8-8. Fig. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view ofa fluid coupling employing a radially movable check member. Fig. 10 is a viewv of a cross-section of the fluid coupling of Fig. 9-represented as cut by a. plane IO-l0. Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to Fig. 10 representing a fluid coupling in'which a plunger is provided separate from the rolling member engaging the varying radius track. Fig. 12 is a longitudinal sectional view of'a fluid coupling constructed so as to have delayed action, and Fig. 13 is a View of a cross-section of the delayed action coupling 10f Fig. 12 represented as cut by a plane |3l3..

Like reference characters are utilized through- .out the drawing to designate like parts.

The coupling illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 comprises an outer or shell member ll enclosing an inner or core member 12,-the two members being relatively rotatable. Either-member may be the driving member or the driven member. 7 For example, the core member l2may be secured to a shaft I3 by 'a set screw [4, and the shaft may be the shaft of a motor, not shown, theouter mem- .ber. serving as a, pulley for a flat belt.

The outer member ll comprises a ring or shell 15 to which end plates 16 and I! are secured by suitable means such as round-head screws 2!].

Conventional Oerin'gseals l8 and 19 are provided for preventing leakage between the inner and outer members so' that a fluid-containingenclosure is formedin which the inner'member I2 is contained; vA noncircular track2 l is formed in the inner surface of the ring or shell l5. As illustrated in'Fig. 2, the track 2] is formed with variations in radius recurring three times in the periphery of the track 2|, that is" the points of maximum radius and the "points of. minimum radius are degrees apart. However, the inventionvis not limited toa specific number of points of maximum or minimum radius.

A diametrically extending opening 22 is formed in thenoremember l2 to;receive a pair of-cylinchamber 3:|.

neck .portion .38.

drical plungers 23 and 24. Preferably frictionreducing rolling members such as hardened steel spheres and 26 are interposed between the plungers 23 and 24 and the track surface 2|, so that the spheres 25 and 26 ride in the track 2|. Means are provided for closing the opening between the plungers 23 and 24, except for a relatively small passageway. A suitable fluid such as oil is contained in the space enclosed within the outer or ishellmember H and including the opening'22in'the core member l2 and connecting passages, so that if the members were permitted to rotate relatively to each other, there would be a tendency for oil to surge back rand iforth through the passageway as a result of the plungers 23 and 24 being moved in and out. -'Oil outside of the plungers circulates freely through clearance between core l2 and shell In order to provide a suitable passageway 'between the plungers Hand 24, the core member I2 is provided with an'axially extending opening 21, intersecting the diametrical opening 22, andaplugmember28 is fittedin the axial opening .21. The plug member 28 formed to re- -ceive coaxially therein an inner plug member 29. The plug members 28 and 29 "are formed to :provide 'an internal :chamber or cavity 3| .communicating through separate passageways with the two ends .of the diametrical opening :22, and a vball check member 32 is provided in the cavity 3|.

The plugmember28 is cylindrical with an outsidediameter. corresponding .to the internal diamberi28 to connect thepassageway 33 with theinternal chamber 3|. tratediin .Fig. .11 :theplug member 28.has an internal bore forming a continuation of the right handhalf of theinternal cavity 3| for receiving the-'secondplug member 29.

The'plug JmemberIZS is;provided with an axial opening 36 communicating with the internal An annular 'groove 3.1 is formed around the plug member :29, thereby leaving a crosswise-openings 39 and 4| are cut radiallytin'the neck portion .38 andthe cylindrical wall :portion of :theplug members 28 and 29, respectively.

The plug member 29 may be :provided with a conventional-screw head 42 and a threaded por- .tion 4-3 engaging a'corresponding internal thread in the-plug member 28 Whereby'thetplug member 29 is secured within the plug member 28.

' Preferably-an O-ring-seal44 is providedfor sealing the joint between theouter surface of the plug member 29 and the inner surface of the bore in the plugmember 28. The O-ring seals plug member'28 within the bore 21 of the core member l2. This expanding seal maycomprise a suitable annular groove 45 in the member 28 containing aring 46 of oil-absorbent natural rub- .ber material such that when oil comes in contact with it, it expands and tightly secures the plug member 28 in the bore 2! in the manner described in further detail in my copending ap- .plic'ation Serial -NO. 606,866 filed-111115 24, 1945,

relating toa Cylinderiassembly construction.

.In .the construction illus- If relative rotation of the members II and I2 is caused to take place, the spheres 25 and 26 are caused to ride in the track 2| and, therefore, are forced to move in and out radially. In the particular construction shown, they ride in and out radially three times for each rotation of one member relative to the other. The plungers 23 and 24 are likewise forced in and out, thus causing pumping action of the oil or other fluid contained within the opening 22 and in the chamber'3l.

The arrangement is such that the plungers 23 and 24 are moved in and out alternately, that is,

one is in the innermost position when the other is in the outermost position. Consequently the 'oil-"or other-fluid is pumped back and forth from and out through the radial-opening-M into the space 34 and into the portion of the opening 22 at the inner faceof theiplunger 2'4. Whenthe plunger 24 -moves inwardfltheoil tends to flow 'in'the-opposite direction. As soon as-the motor shaft -|3, forexample, picks up -suflicient speed, the flow of oil throughthe'internal passageway 3| is such that it moves the ball check 32 against oneor the other of :two -seats-4land 48 formed at the junction of the-passageway 36 'and 35 -with the'internalchamber-iil. Assoon as one of the valve seats is closed by the ball check :32, a-steady flow of oil in such a direction is :prevented and,

consequently, whichever plunger is moving inward is .preventedfrom moving'further and the outer member I I is locked uponthe-inner member |2. The size and'arrangement'of the fluid passageways and the size and weight of the ball check 32=determine the speedrequired and the rate of oil flow requiredfor causing the check valve to close and bring abouta coupling "action. In the case of an electric motor drive, this action permitsthe motor shaft 48 to start-turning before positive engagement between the coupling parts and l2'takes place.

It will be observed that the-abutmentcf the large diameter .of the -cone of ,;plug 29 with the large diameter of the \cone-shap'e inside o'f .plug 28 form a v-shaped longitudinalcross-sectionin which, due to centrifugal action, the ball 32 rests. The velocityaof rthe fluid .;passing over the elements 25 and 23, communicating the radius variations of'the 'track Z I 't'o the'plun'gers 24 and 23, "are in the form of spheres. However, my invention is not limited thereto. For example,

as illustrated in Fig. 3,- circular cylinders 50 may be employecl as the rolling elements, and the track in the member 5 is formed acoordi'ng l-y so that the cylinders will roll therein, thereby providing a relatively large rolling surface '?and permitting a relatively heavy load 'to be carried.

Corresponding parts of modified construction embodiments 'of Fi'gsQ1-and 3 are represented by like reference numerals, those in Fig; '3 being primed. In order that the plungers 23 and 24 of -Fi'g. 3-may produce pumpingiac'tion onthe outazs ns s ward strokes as well, astheginward strokes and fiuidpressure producedby the inwardly moving piston need not be depended upon for movin the other piston outward, the plungers 23 and 24' are made in a form of cups containing springs 66, each of suificientstrengthto balance the Weight of the plunger andtll'e roller 59.

The closed end cap I6 is provided to obviate necessity for the seal I8 shown in Fig. 1. r In this case the plug member 29 is held in the plu member 28' and in the member |2' by means of a sheet metal guard or cover 48, secured by means of screws to the inner end face of the core member I2. In the arrangement of Fig. 3, the end plate l1 of Fig. 1 has been replaced by an annular block l1 in which. an annular groove 5| has been formed to serve as a pulley sheave. Preferably the groove 5| is of V or tapered cross-section so as to receive a V belt 52.

Between the pulley l1 and the neck portion 53 1% ype as. described in connection with the sealing, ring 4601 Fig. l, for tightly securing the plug passageway and cause engagement of the fluid coupling. If the opposite plungers 63 are being movedinward, oil flows inward through the annular groove 66,.the right angle passageway 68,

of the coupling core member I2, a bushing 54 is interposed and suitable sealing members 55 are provided at either end of the bushing member 54 to prevent leakage of oil or other fluid from the openings in the member l2.

In connection with Figs. 1, 2 and 3, an arrangement has been shown in which two plungers travel in the samediametrical line and move alternately inward andoutward. However, my invention is not limited to this arrangement. If desired, two such plungers may move inward and outward simultaneously. This is illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5, which also illustrate an arrangement in which two difierent tracks 56 and 51 are employed, in which rolling members are adapted to ride. The two tracks 56 and 51 are spaced apart axially. in a ring portion 58 of the outer member As illustrated in Fig. 5, the track 51 has two greater diameter and two lesser diameter points around its periphery. But the invention is not limited to this number of variations in radius. In the embodiment of Fig. 2 the track should be symmetrical, that is have an even number of points ofgreater and lesser radius, in

order that two plungers 59 may move simultaneously.

An inner core member 6| is provided in which the diametrical opening 22 is displaced 90 degrees from the second diametrically extending opening 62 so that one setof plungers 59 travels inward when the other set of plungers 63 (shown by hidden lines) travels outward. In the arrangement of Figs. 4 and 5, the outer plugmember 64 is fitted in the bore 21 having two annular grooves 65 and 66 cooperating with the diametrical openings 22 and 62 respectively. An inner plug member 61 is also provided which is threaded into the outer plug member 64. A right angular passageway 68 is provided having a radial arm communicating with the annular groove 66 and an axial arm communicating with the internal sealing rings 1| on eitherside of the grooves 65 and 66 and between the grooves65 and 66. Preferably thesealing rings .:1.| are-of.- the expandand into the cavity 3|. This causes the valve check to strike the seat 41, thus producing engagement of the coupling. In arrangement of Fig. 4, the plug member 61,is shown as having the portion containing the passageways formed integral with the threaded portion. However, the invention is;not limited to this construction, and if desired, the inner end of the plug member 61 may be made axially slidable and spring biased in order to provide, over-load relief. For example, as illustrated in Fig. 6, a radially movable plug member 12 is provided. There is a screw cap 13 and a spring 14 interposed between inner end of the cap 13 and the plug member 12 for elastically biasing the plug member 12 to an inward position in which the internal cavity 3| for the valve check 32 has the. minimum volume. Engagement of the coupling members II and 6| takes place in the same manner as described in connection with Figs. 4 and 5. In the event that the torque transmitted should exceed a predetermined value, the fluid pressure, produced by the tendency of the plungers to moveinward in response to the force exerted by the driving member, reaches such a value as to overcome the biasing effect of the spring 44 and to increase the volume of the internal chamber 3|. The dimensions are so chosen that when the spring 44 is compressed, the volume of. the internal chamber 3| is increased sufficiently to permit the spheres 25 and 26 to ride.over the minimum radius portion of diameter of the cone of plug 29 with the large diameter of the cone shape inside of plug 28 forms a V-shaped longitudinal section in which, due to centrifugalaction, the ball 32 rests. It has also been pointed out that the velocity of the fluid. .passingover the ball in either direction mustbe builtup by the speed of the rotor, hence by the amount of fluid pumped, until it overcomes the centrifugal force, forcing the ball out of the V-groove up against the seat on one side or the other. It willbe observed in Fig. 4 that this same reactionoccurs, except that Fig. 4 shows a readily adjustable means whereby a space can be provided betweenthe large portion of the cones of plug 64 and the threaded adjustable plug 61. In this manner the angular V-groove created by these cones can be deepened by enlarging the space between the cones and thus permitting more spaceaboutatheball and increasing the neck portion 53"of: the core member I03 by'an ameter neck II between the valve H3 and the stem H2. The screw cap I3 has a cavity IIB receiving a spring I H for normally lifting the check valve cone I I3 from its seat I I4. A passageway is provided from the chamber I01 through the plug boreI II to the outside portion of the space within the track 34 of the member I02. For this purpose there are radial notches I I8 in the screw cap I3 or the member I08 at the contacting surface, an annular groove H9, and a radial opening I2I in the member I03. Space I22 is provided along the surface of the core member I03 to permit passage of oil between the surfaces of the members I03 and I1.

As relative rotation between the members 53 and I02 first takes place if the relative rotation is very slow the check valve II3 remains open as a result of being lifted from its seat II4 by the spring II'I. However, as the oil flow increases, the resistance resulting from the small clearance between the large diameter stem H2 and the surface of the bore I II in the plug I08 causes movement of stem II 2 against the force of the spring II'I, thus causing the check valve to seat. Upon seating of the check valve I I3, it is held closed by oil pressure exerted against it.

Preferably a relief valve is provided to prevent excessive torques from being transmitted. This may take the form of an axial passageway I23 in the member I03 communicating with crosswise passageways I24, the passageway I23 being normally closed by means of a ball check I25 held against a seat I26 around the end of the passageway I23 by aspring I21. In case the coupling should be overloaded, the ball check 25 is lifted from its seat I25, and the oil trapped in the oil chamber IN is permitted to flow out through the passageway I24 to the space between the members I 03 and I02. This permits the plungers I05 to move inward and permits relative rotation to take place between the members I02 and I03. y

I have herein shown and particularly described certain embodiments of my invention and certain methods of operation embraced therein for the purpose of explaining its principle of operation and showing its application, but it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that many modifications and variations are possible and I aim, therefore, to cover all such modifications and variations as fall within the scope of my invention which is defined in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

l. A fluid coupling comprising in combination first and second relatively rotatable members, the first of said members having a varyingradius track therein and the second. of said members having a pair of radial openings with plunger means therein adapted to be moved in and out radially by variations in radius of said track, means associated with said plunger means for engaging said track, said second member having a fluid-containing passageway therein joining said radial openings whereby relative rotac 4 10 tion' .of said members and radial movement of said plunger means tend to cause movement back and forth through said passageway, of fluid therein, aportion of said passageway extending axially andbeing radially enlarged with a check member therein, whereby centrifugal force urges said check valve to said enlarged passageway portion but flow of fluid through the enlarged portlon vof said passageway in consequence of relative rotation of said members tends to press saidcheck member in one directionor the other axially for impeding the flow of fluid and coupling one member to the other.

2. Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein a movable member is provided for varying the size of the enlarged portion of the said passageway and a" plunger and a biasing spring are provided for normally maintaining said enlarged portion at minimum volume whereby a predetermined torque is required for expanding said volume sufficiently to receive fluid expelled from said openings by said plungers and preventing coupling of the members.

3. Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein cylindrical "pistons are mounted in said radial openings and rolling members are interposed between said pistons and said tracks for transmitting variations in radius of said track to said pistons.

4 Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein cylindrical "pistons are mounted in said radial opening and spheres are interposed between said pistons and said tracks for transmitting variation in radius of said tracks to said pistons.

5. A fluid coupling comprising in combination a pair of relatively rotatable members fitting one within the other, the outer member having a varying-radius inner track, the inner member having a plurality of openings extending radially inlcluding portions of two different diameters and a port, the greater diameter portions being at the outer ends of said openings, a center well communicating with said port and said openingsfluid contained in said well and openings,

plungers movable in the greater diameter portions ofsaid openings adapted'to ride on said tracks, and check valve members in the smaller diameter portions of said openings between the tive rotation of said inner and outer members.

.6, An over-torque release fluid coupling comprising in' combination first and second relatively rotatable members, the first of said members having a non-uniform track therein, the second of said members having circumferentially spaced openings therein with plunger means adapted to be moved in and out of said openings by variations in said track as relative rotation takes place between said members, said second member having a fluid containing passageway communicating with said plunger means receiving openings whereby relative rotation of said members tends to cause movement back and forth through said passageway of fluid therein, a portion of said passageway being radially enlarged in comparison with adjacent portions and having valveseats formed at the axial margins of the enlarged portion with a check member therein, whereby flow of fluid through the enlarged portion of said passageway in consequence of relative rotation of said members tends to press the check member axially against one of said seats for impeding the flow of fluid and coupling one member to the other, and means for varying. the size. of. the

enlargedportionpi said. passageway, comprising. v

a movable member with. a biasing spring for. normally maintaining said. enlarged portion at minimum volume whereby a predetermined torque is. required for expanding said. volume sufiiciently to receive fluid. expelled from said. open.- ingsbv said plunger means and preventing or releasing coupling of the members.

7. A fluid coupling. comprising in combination a pair ofrelatively rotatable members, one of. saidmembershaving. a track therein having. portions eccentric to the axisof; rotation of. said members, the. second of. said members. having a plurality of radial. openings. therein and .plungers. movable in. saidopenings adaptedto engage said. track whereby said. plungers move. in. and outradially when. relative. rotation takes. place. be.- tween, said. members,v said second member being formed with, fluid passageway means. establishing. communication between said. plunger. receiving, openings, fluid. in. said. openings and passage.- way means, said passageway means being-,formed with= valve seat means, and check valve means loosely. disposed in. said. passageway. means, said passageway. means having. a. radial. enlargement. spaced from .said. valve. seat. means. torreceive. said. check valve meansund'er, theaction of centrifugal. force. when relative rotation. of said. members begins, with. which, said check. valve means clear said. valve. seat. means, said. check. valve. means. being free to. move, with. fluid. pumped. by. said plungers to engage said-v seat means. and close. saidpassagewaymeans at. a rate zorrelative rotation. of said. members. suchthat. the. action. of the pumpedfluidon said. valve means overcomes thecentrifugal force actingthereonh 8;. A, fluid. coupling. comprisingv in. combination a pairof relatively. rotatablemembers, one ofsaid. members having a track. therein. having. portions eccentric .to. the .axis. of rotation of. said members, thesecondlof said members. having. aplurality of radial openings therein .and plungers .movable in. saidopeningsadapted to engage saidltrack where,- by, saidplungersimove in, andlontradially whenrelative rotation takes place between. said members, saidsecond member. being formed. withfluid passageway means establishing. communication between. saidplunger. receiving openings, fluid in said. openings. and. passageway. means, said, pas-- sageway. meanshaving anintermediate. chamber having. an axial. extent. and being, formedwith. valveseats at each end. thereof ,.a mid-portion of said. chamber. beingofmaximum diameter, and acheck valve. in said. chamber, said. check. valve being. urged to. andheld in said maximum diameter chamber section-by centrifugal force when relative rotation of; said: members begins, with which. said; check valve. clears said: valveseats,

said. check valve being free to. move with fluid pumped. by said. plungers to alternately engage said; valve seatsand-lclose said passageway means.

atarate of relative rotation of said members such thatthe actiorrof the pumpedfiuid. on said check valve. overcomes the centrifugal force acting by, variations. in. radius, of the associated. tracks,

said tracks. and. sets. of. radial.v openings being arranged. so. that. their actions are outof phase, said second member having. a. fluid-containing passageway therein. joining. said. sets. of radial openings whereby relative rotation of said members and radial. movement of. said. plunger means tendto causelmovement backand forth through said" passageway of; fluid. therein, a portion of said; passageway extending, axially. and being radially, enlarged. with. a. check. valve member therein, whereby centrifugalforce urges said check valve. member to. said' radially enlarged passageway portion but. flow of fluid. axially through the. enlargedlportion of said passageway im consequence ofrelative. rotationof. said members tends. to. press. said. check. member. in one direction or. the. other axially for impeding. the flow. of. fluid. and. coupling. one. member to the other,

TI. STEPHEN S.

REFERENCES CITED The following. references areof record in the file of this. patent-:.

UNITED: STATES PATENTS Number N ame Date 809,331 De Simone Jan. 9, 1906 1,840,161 Graser Jan. 5, 1932 2,172,975 I-Iut'sing Sept. 12, 1939 FQREIGN. PATENTS Number Country Date 342,598 Great Britain Feb. 5, 1931 

